Ozzie was a #2 draft pick as a pitcher with the Yankees in Jan. 1983. Later that year he pitched in 27 games with Greensboro. In 1984 he pitched in 14 games with Oneonta. In 1984 he played in 8 games with Greensboro. he had 1 AB and scored 1 run. In 1985 he pitched in 11 games with Ft. Lauderdale, and did not bat. Later in the season he went up to the Sarasota Yankees. He played in 20 games with 39 AB 2R 7H 1 3B 1HR and 5RBI. In 1986 he started the season again with the Yankees and after 7 games went to Madison. There he played in 42 games and 128 AB, and 3HR. 1987 again found Ozzie in Madison playing in 92 games 309 AB 11HR 54RBI 5SB and a .265 BA. He played most of the 1988 season again in Madison in 99 games with 359 AB 12HR 68RBI and 13SB, and a .273 BA. The end of 1988 saw Ozzie move up to Huntsville to play in 27 more games. 3 more HR and 3 more SB. In 1989 Ozzie was starting out at Huntsville again. 91 games with 317 AB and 12HR. 1990 found Ozzie still in Huntsville for most of the season. 97 games with 325 AB and 20HR. He ranked 4th in the AA Southern League with that 20HR. 11 of them came in a 22 game span right before he got called up to the A's in mid-July. Ozzie and Jose played together this season. He had 19 AB in 9 games. In 1991 Ozzie played in Japan. In 1992 he played 98 games with Louisville. He ranked #1 in HR with 22, #4 in 2B with 19, and #4 in RBI's with 57. He was also named the best power prospect in the American Association. From 1988 -92 a whopping 42% of Ozzie's major/minor league hits were for extra bases. He can also hit the longball. Fans in Buffalo are still talking about the one that landed on the highway ramp.
